ROYAL Recap | The Fun Has Arrived

The 91st annual Royal Agricultural Winter fair is in full swing following an exhilarating and action packed opening weekend!

Events kicked off Friday afternoon as the fair officially opened its doors, and we were there as proceedings kicked off at the evening’s horse show performance in the Ricoh coliseum. The show kicked off with 13 horse and driver combinations in Class # 27 – $1000 Lady’s Single Roadhorse. The ladies and their horses gave it their all; with entry 504 Kerri-Lynn O’Hara and Storm Trooper (owned by Lloyd Nuquent) named the victor. Next came Class # 153 – $750 Clydesdale Two Wheeled Cart Clyde Mares, where the horses and carts were positively glowed in the overhead lights of the Ricoh. Entry 740 Jason Gregg with the Gregglea & Alamar Clydes Hitch (owned by Steve & Beth Gregg) took home the top honours.

Yann Candele aboard Showgirl

The night’s performance was also host to the first round of the $25,000 Greenhawk Canadian Cup show jumping class, where Yann Candele aboard Showgirl came out on top. Angela Covert aboard Utan took second honours, with Ian Millar and Star Power in third.

Following the cup class was the All Breed Four Horse Draft Team(s), Class 174. Top honours went to Steve Robertson aboard the West Edge Acres & McKeown Farms hitch.

Last but not least was Round 1 of the Horseware Indoor Eventing Competition, sporting such industry greats as Oliver Towend and William Fox-Pitt. But it was Kendal Lehari, aboard Daily Edition (owned by Gwendalyne Lehari) who ultimately came out on top at the end of the first phase.

Guy McLean performed a brief but fabulous demonstration of his exceptional horse skills, while also throwing in a bit of humour. Stay tuned to our full edition for some great photos and videos of this demonstration.

Guy McLean demonstration

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On Saturday the second round of the Greenhawk Canadian Cup took centre stage in the Ricoh following the final phase of the indoor eventing where Waylon Roberts, aboard Bill Owen (owned by Kelly Plitz) took the victory over Kendal Lehari, who finished second. William Fox-Pitt and Oliver Townend finished 5th and 6th respectively. . Yann Candele maintained his position from the night before, coming out with top honours. Beth Underhill aboard Viggo took third, and Angela Covert and Utan were third. Ian Millar, aboard Star Power, finished eighth.

Sunday was Rodeo day at the Royal. It was East vs. West to see just who was the best. The Ontario Toyota Dealers Royal Rodeo was hosted by Ross Millar and Amber Marshall of CBC’s Heartland.

The Royal Winter Fair runs from November 1 to 10th. To learn more visit www.royalfair.org

The Eloquent Equine will be back at the Fair on Tuesday night, and will also be there Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. If you spot us come say HEY and score yourself an awesome button!

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